By Pierre Savary
LILLE, France, Nov 2 - Lille, who slumped to a 1-0
defeat at AEK Athens on Wednesday, still believe they can make
it to the knockout stage of the Champions League.
The Ligue 1 side, who handed AEK their first ever Champions
League victory after having Greek defender Efstathios Tavlaridis
sent off in the first half, are second in Group H with five
points.
AC Milan, who thrashed Anderlecht 4-1, top the standings
with 10 points with AEK Athens in third place on four. The
Belgian side have two points from four games.
Should they beat Anderlecht in Lens's Stade Felix-Bollaert
in a fortnight, Lille will go through providing that Milan do
not lose in Greece.
"We will have to do it at home, it will be a three-way
battle as we expected," Lille coach Claude Puel told reporters.
"Do not think we are downcast. If we play well against
Anderlecht, we will make it," added centre back Nicolas Plestan.
However, the northeners will have to do without Tavlaridis
and midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who will both be suspended.